Holding and mounting device and method for a front/rear panel of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A device is used for holding and mounting a front/rear panel to a side component of a vehicle, for purposes of reinforcing and housing vehicle aggregates in the front/rear panel of a vehicle; in order to allow a simple mounting of the front panel to a side component. The panel is provided with a mounting profile with clamping brackets that can be attached to corresponding clamping elements of a guide rail in the side component.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims the priority of German Patent DocumentNo. 101 14 018.5, filed Mar. 22, 2001, the disclosure of which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The invention relates to a holding and mounting device for afront/rear panel of a vehicle.

[0003] A strip-type mounting component for connecting a preformedcomponent to a body frame is known from DE 198 03 402 A1. In addition aguide rail for mounting a formed component to a frame wall is also knownfrom EP 0 417 654 A1. To accomplish this, the guide rail is equippedwith two crosspieces positioned a certain distance from one another,between which one part of the preformed component, such as a bumper, isheld. Furthermore, a molded bumper mounting bracket that is used tosupport a bumper cover is also known from DE 37 40 787 A1.

[0004] An object of the invention is to provide a holding and mountingdevice to mount a front/rear panel of a vehicle on a side component in asimple manner to ensure a secure connection between the front/rear paneland the side component. The front/rear panel can be further equippedwith arrangements designed to hold aggregates to the vehicle.

[0005] This objective is attained in accordance with the embodiments ofthe invention as described below.

[0006] One of the advantages of the invention is that a structuralsupport component is positioned in each of the corners of the front/rearpanel, which effects both a reinforcement and a secure mounting to thefender or to the side component of the body of the vehicle. In addition,the structural support component may also be used to mount a wheelhousing or as a bearing for vehicle aggregates. The device is suitablefor use as both, a front and a rear panel. Hereinafter, however, thedevice shall be referred with respect to the front panel only.

[0007] This is achieved in that the front panel is connected to an innerstructural support component. This inner structural support componenthas a grid structure and is provided with an upper, strip-type mountingprofile for the side component, and mounting brackets on the face toaccommodate a wheel housing liner. In the inner structural supportcomponent, there are mounting projections for the housing of adirectional signal, receptacles for a windshield washing/wipingassembly, and positions for mounting cable bundles via screws.

[0008] The front panel, in conjunction with the structural supportcomponent, forms a pre-mountable unit, which is essentially separatedfrom the front panel to reduce noise. To this end, the structuralsupport component is connected to the front panel via a support sectionand via tabs and a brace. The support section is U-shaped in its crosssection, and extends at least over the entire length of the structuralsupport component. The outer part of the support unit is connected to anangled section of the front panel. When the components have beeninstalled, the crosspiece of the support section rests against the innersurface of the front panel. In addition, the structural supportcomponent is held in place along the lower edge of the front panel viatabs, on fusable projections of the structural support component.Attaching the structural support component using the support section andadditional connections makes the front panel more rigid.

[0009] The front panel is attached to the side component via thestrip-type support section, which is inserted into the guide rail of theside component. To this end, the support section is equipped withclamping brackets that project into the profiled crosspiece, each ofwhich has a projecting angled surface with a longitudinal slit. Theguide rail in the side component, with corresponding clamping elements,can be placed in the clamping brackets. The clamping elements areequipped with an angular running tongue that is formed on a framecorresponding to the angular surface adjustment of the clamping bracket.

[0010] Further, the guide rail is equipped with opposing legs, whichhold between them the outer leg of the mounting profile, with the angledsection of the front end panel.

[0011] In another version of the invention, one of the sides of theguide rail may also have a number of tabs, positioned opposite acontinuous side. Between the tab and the side, the outer leg of themounting profile is held with the angled piece of the front panel.

[0012] The structural support component is supported at its front sidein a projecting rib, with an area designed to hold the wheel liner, andthe wheel liner. The structural support component are fastened to thisrib via a mounting screw. The advantage of this is that the structuralsupport component can be supported by the rib, while allowing a simplemounting of a wheel liner.

[0013] The structural support component is further equipped with anopening that corresponds to an outer opening in the front panel. Theopening is partially enclosed by a crosspiece and is open at the front.In the opening, the housing for a directional signal may be positioned.The housing can be attached via screws in two recessed areas, set apartfrom one another, at the end of the structural support component. Thestructural support component further has an external openingcorresponding in the front panel to a partially rimmed and open outleton the face side in which the directional signal housing is seated. Thehousing can then be attached by screws through two recessed seats of thestructural support component. Such design for the structural supportcomponent allows the housing for the directional signal to be integratedinto the structural support component and to be pre-installed.

[0014] Overall, according to an embodiment of the invention, thestructural support component can be used to provide bracing and to allowa simple method of attachment to the side component. It also enables thepre-installation of brackets and the mounting of aggregates and cables,etc.

[0015] One exemplary structural example of the invention is illustratedin the drawings, and will be described in greater detail below.

[0016] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of the front panel mounted onthe side component and/or on the fender,

[0018]FIG. 2 is a section view along the line II-II through the point ofconnection, with its edge along X-X,

[0019]FIG. 3 is a section of a guide rail with a mounting element,

[0020]FIG. 4 is an inside view of a structural support component of thefront end panel, with cable bundles, a housing for a directional signal,and a headlight washer/wiper assembly,

[0021]FIG. 5 is an overall view with the structural support componentmounted on the side component of the front end panel, and

[0022]FIG. 6 is a cross section of the guide rail and the mountingprofile, in the area of the clamping elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the front/rear panel 1 is connectedto a side component 2 and/or mounted to the fender of a vehicle. Themeans for connecting these components comprise essentially a strip-typeguide rail 3 on the side component 2 and a strip-type mounting profile 4on a structural support component 5, which can be connected to the frontend panel 1.

[0024] To minimize the weight, the structural support component 5 has agrid structure with an integrated strip-type mounting profile section 4,which has a cross section in the form of a U-shaped part. This mountingprofile 4 is at an upper end of the structural support component 5 andis connected at its outer leg 26 to an angled section 1 a of the frontend panel 1, e.g. via spot welding. The structural support component 5is also mounted to the front panel 1 at the lower edge R2, via fusableprojections V that become engaged in slits in tabs 9 a, 9 b of thestructural support component 5. The front of the structural supportcomponent 5 is supported by a projecting rib 9 on the front panel. Thestructural support component 5 is largely open to the inner surface ofthe front panel 1, with essentially only one crosspiece 10 of themounting profile 4 resting against it.

[0025] A housing 11 for a directional signal, a cable bundle K, and aheadlight washer/wiper assembly S may be attached to the structuralsupport component.

[0026] To hold the housing 11, the structural support component 5 has apartially enclosed opening 12, which corresponds to an outer opening 13in the front panel 1 and is partially supported by a cross piece 5 a ofthe structural support component 5. The housing 11 is connected to thestructural support component 5 via two mounting projections 14, 15, viawhich the housing 11 can be secured using screws. The cable bundle K isattached to the structural support component 5 via at least two screwmounts 16, 17. The headlight washer/wiper assembly S is mounted on thestructural support component 5 via at least one bracket 18.

[0027] The mounting profile 4 is provided on the inside of thecrosspiece 10 with clamping brackets 20, 21, which have projectingangular surfaces 22 with longitudinal slits 23. When assembled, theguide rail 3 is positioned opposite this mounting profile 4 on the frontpanel 1. The guide rail 3 holds the outer leg 26 of the mounting profile4, with the bent section 27 of the front panel 1, between two legs 24,25. The direct attachment of the guide rail 3 to the clamping brackets20, 21 in the mounting profile 4 is achieved using catches positioned tocorrespond to the clamping brackets 20, 21, which are inserted into thebrackets 20, 21 and held there in a clamping connection.

[0028] The mounting of the front panel 1 to the side component 2 isachieved by sliding the front panel 1 onto the guide rails 3 of the sidecomponent 2, and clamping it in place. On the inside of the sidecomponent 2, a wheel housing liner is mounted on the structural supportcomponent 5 via connecting brackets 31, 32.

[0029] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustratethe invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications ofthe disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed:
 1. A seating and mounting device for a front panel of avehicle, which may be mounted on a side component, such as a fender/sidewall, using a strip-type guide rail, wherein the front/rear panel isequipped with an inner structural support component that has a structureand is provided at its upper edge with an integrated, strip-typemounting profile for the side component, and is equipped on its frontface with connecting brackets for a wheel housing liner; an innersection of the structural support component being equipped with mountingprojections for a housing of a directional signal, a bracket for aheadlight washer/wiper assembly, and screw mounts for cable bundles. 2.Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structural supportcomponent can be connected to the front/rear panel at its upper edge viathe mounting profile and at its lower edge via tabs and the bracket, andis positioned largely separate from an inner surface of the front/rearpanel.
 3. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mountingprofile is U-shaped in its cross section and extends at least over thelength of the structural support component, and wherein the mountingprofile is connected with its outer leg to a bent section of thefront/rear panel, wherein a profiled crosspiece of the mounting profilelies flat against the side component, and the structural supportcomponent is held and fastened at the lower edge of the front/rear panelvia tabs on fusable projections in the side component.
 4. Device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the profiled crosspiece of the mountingprofile is equipped with at least two projecting clamping brackets withprojecting angular surfaces that are equipped with longitudinal slits,and a guide rail in the side component containing corresponding clampingelements is insertable into the clamping brackets.
 5. Device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein each clamping element is equipped witha tongue that is formed on a projecting crosspiece and is oriented at anangle, the relative position of which corresponds to the relativeposition of the angular surface of the clamping brackets.
 6. Device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the guide rails are equipped withopposing legs that hold between them the outer leg of the mountingprofile with the bent section of the front/rear panel.
 7. Device inaccordance with claim 6, wherein at least one of the legs comprises anumber of tabs positioned opposite a continuous leg, and the outer leg26 of the mounting profile is held between the tabs and the continuousleg, with the bent section of the front/rear panel.
 8. Device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein an end of the structural supportcomponent is supported against a projecting rib of the front/rear panel,with a bracket for a wheel lining, and the wheel lining and thestructural support component are attached to this rib via at least onemounting screw.
 9. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein thestructural support component is equipped with an opening thatcorresponds to an outer opening in the front/rear panel, is partiallyenclosed by a crosspiece of the structural support component, and isopen at its face, into which the housing is placed, with this openingbeing attached to two mounting projections on the face of the structuralsupport component via screws.
 10. Device in accordance with claim 1,wherein the cable bundle is attached to the structural support componentvia at least two screw mounts.
 11. A device for seating and mounting oneof front and rear panels of a vehicle to a side component of the vehicleusing a strip-type guide rail, comprising: a structural supportcomponent including an integrated, strip-type mounting profile at anupper edge of the structural support component, mounting projections fora housing of a directional signal on an inner section of the structuralsupport component, a bracket for a headlight washer/wiper assembly, andscrew mounts for cable bundles.
 12. The device in accordance with claim11, wherein the structural support component is connected to the panelat the upper edge of the structural support component using the mountingprofile and at a lower edge of the structural support component usingtabs and a bracket, and wherein the structural support component ispositioned largely separate from an inner surface of the panel.
 13. Thedevice in accordance with claim 11, wherein the mounting profile isU-shaped in cross section and extends along an length of the structuralsupport component, wherein the mounting profile has an outer legconnected to a bent section of the panel, and wherein the structuralsupport component includes a crosspiece lying flat against the sidecomponent, and the lower edge of the structural support component isheld against and fastened to the panel using tabs on fusable projectionsof the side component.
 14. The device in accordance with claim 13,wherein the guide rail includes two clamping elements, wherein theprofiled crosspiece of the mounting profile has two projecting clampingbrackets, each bracket including a projecting angular surface having alongitudinal slit, and wherein each of the clamping element isinsertable into one of the clamping brackets.
 15. The device inaccordance with claim 13, wherein the guide rail includes opposing legs,and wherein that the outer leg of the mounting profile and the bentsection of the panel are positioned between the opposing legs.
 16. Thedevice in accordance with claim 15, wherein at least one of the legscomprises a number of tabs positioned opposite one of the legs, andwherein the outer leg 26 of the mounting profile is held between thetabs and the continuous leg, with the bent section of the front/rearpanel.
 17. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein thestructural support component has an opening that corresponds to an outeropening in the panel, into which the housing is placed.
 18. A method forseating and mounting one of front and rear panels of a vehicle to a sidecomponent of the vehicle having a strip-type guide rail, comprising:mounting the panel to the side component using a structural supportcomponent including an integrated, strip-type mounting profile at anupper edge of the structural support component; mounting a housing of adirectional signal on an inner section of the structural supportcomponent; mounting a headlight washer/wiper assembly on a bracket ofthe structural support component; and mounting cable bundles on screwmounts of the structural support component.
 19. The method in accordancewith claim 18, comprising: connecting the structural support componentto the panel at the upper edge of the structural support component usingthe mounting profile and at a lower edge of the structural supportcomponent using tabs and a bracket; and positioning the structuralsupport component largely separate from an inner surface of the panel.20. The method in accordance with claim 18, comprising: connecting anouter leg of the mounting profile to a bent section of the panel, andpositioning the outer leg and the bent section between opposing legs ofthe guide rail.
 21. The method in accordance with claim 18, comprising:inserting a clamping element of the guide rail into a clamping bracketof the profiled crosspiece.
 22. The method in accordance with claim 18,comprising: placing the housing in an opening the structural supportcomponent and in an outer opening in the panel.